Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1887-08-13

the Sallc-a-manger, and neither the
one nor the other reported again dur
inc the entire evening.
General c., exceedingly annoyed by
this double disappearance, called up
the servants when the guests had gone,
and learned from them that. after his
awkwardneSS at the table, Muller, in
great distress of mind, had fled to the
stable and locked himself in, and Il a,
after awhile, tine Austrian officer, who
had inquired his whereabouts, hur-
riedly joined him there, and remained
with him a long time conversing earn
estlv. Later in the evening they had
come out together, and together gone
to the neighboring hotel, still continu-
ing the conversation.
The next morning, Just as the Gem
cral was seating himself to dispatch Il
note to the officer requesting an w
PLANTATION of the affair. word was
brought to him that the coachman was
at home again, busy with his horses,
at will be better to see him. said
the General to himself, laying aside
the note he was writing and starting
for the stable. As soon rs Muller saw
him coming, however, he advanced to
meet him aud respectfully presented
him a letter, courhcd. rs nearly as |
can recall it, in the following terms:
Upon my honor aN gentleman and soldier,
| will answer for the fidelity ana good conduct
of the coachman, Muller. Comtc G, will greatly
obltge me il he does not seek to unycil the Sc
cret in the life o; this man.
CoMTE V, DE -"
but if | wish to know it?' said the
General, gravely, turning to the coach
man quietly awaiting his decision.
al should be forced to quit your SER
vice. he answered. al should regret
it, for | have been very happy with
You; nevertheless, ! should leave I'M
mediatcly.'
The behavior of the man, as well as
the recommendation of an officer as
well known aS the Comtc dc v. de-
cidcd the General; he ceased to qucs-
ton him; Mullerrcmained in his stable,
and at the end of Il few months tho in
cident was forgotten.
In all probability it would have been
eifaced from the Generals memory,
when a terrible accident recalled it.
One morning Muller, while conduct
inc the horses to water, was thrown
and cruelty tramplcd by them. Car
ried to Il house near by with a frac-
turcd skull, his condition was such as
to leave but little hope of hi, recovery;
in fact he died before uightfall. uncon-
sciou' to the last. The day following
the interment the General directed one
of his aidcs-de-camp to enter the cham
Der of the coachman and make a list of
its contents.
"PerhapS.' he thought. reviewing
the circumstances surrounding the man,
'perhaps there are papers that will re-
veal his identity, or money which, as a
careful and economical liver, he has
laid aside, and which must be sent TO
his family, should we discover it,
| leave You to imagine the surprise
the aidc-de-camp on entering to
out his instructions to find folded
away at the bottom of the coachman's
trunk an Austrian uniform, the cpau-
lets Of a Colonel, the brcvct of this
grade and diplomas of various distin-
guisned orders, the medals and d~ecora-
Of the same being in many eases
ornamcntcd with magnificent dia-
mond>.
Naturally the aidc-dc-camp, ignorant
of the dinner incident. concluded that
Muller had stolen them, but when he
reported his discovery to the General,
and also his suspicious, the General as
sured him that he was entirely mista-
ken, and ordered them forwarded at
once to Comte de v, although he had
nothing but conjecture and the affair
related to connect Muller, the coach
man. and an officer of rank in the Aus
TRAN service.
one morning, several months after
lhe death OF Muller, General c., sitting
IN his office, was surprised to see the
de '. coming into the apart
ment, 1t seemed that he had not re-
eelved the package forwarded him by
the General, and learning 10y chance of
coaehman death, had presented
himself to claim whatever papers or
OF value he had left behind him.
They have been sent to you al
Comte de w. the General re-
piled; nevertheless, under the circum-
stances, though your name and position
are sufficient to establish your right to
articles, does it seem Just to me to
refuse me IN explanation of your con-
ncction with a man whom | retained
in my service, knowing there was Il
secret IN his llfe-a secret that he de-
sired to conceal?'
NO responded the Austrian, "and
| am now here to give it, all the more
willingly, since YOU retained him in
,-ntr -nr,,;,o ,,,,,n ;,. "